Here is some good news that will make you feel in harmony with human race !

The Billion Tree Campaign is an initiative launched in 2006 by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for stimulating tree plantation througout the world. Citizens, communities, entreprises and governments are encouraged to register online, at www.plant-for-the-planet.org, their comitment to plant trees. Until now, this campaign has permitted the plantation of more than 13 billion trees in 193 countries! With a planting rate of 1,000 trees per hectare, this represent enough trees to cover entire Greece area !

Beyond their economic, social and aesthetic roles, trees are vital because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen. It is estimated that one or two trees can produce all the oxygen every human being needs. Life on Earth would be downright impossible without trees !

On the other hand, trees are effective air filters. With their leaves, branches and bark, they capture particles in the air. A single tree can extract more 7000 dust particles of a liter of air. Trees can also absorb and neutralize polluting chemicals. For example, they can absorb large amounts of lead without affecting their metabolism. Nitrogen oxides, produced by the combustion of gasoline engines, and sulfur dioxide are also absorbed by trees.

Planting a tree is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and most useful action - a gesture of love and hope - that can be performed by a human being. So next spring, why not plant a tree ?